I’m about to start a game as a wizard in the Ghosts of Saltmarsh campaign (starting at level 4). I’m struggling to think of a reason as for why my wizard is in Saltmarsh.
I avoided the stereotypical physically weak wizard trope and opted for a more athletic wizard if that helps?
My best idea so far is that he is a ship’s wizard or something. thanks!
Although you didn't grow up in Saltmarsh, you were born and raised in another mundane fishing town further down the coast. So this city has a "familiar" feel where you're comfortable. You spent years studying wizardry, and using you skills on various merchant ships, trading vessels, and even a brief stint as portmaster at some hole-in-the-sea docks until you realized it was a suckers' job with little pay (unless you're crooked). Maybe you left these boring/unfulfilling/low-pay jobs to come to Saltmarsh for better opportunities. Maybe you hightailed it out of your last job due to a sudden large gambling debt, or because you goofed up big time mixing wizardry with job duties and blew up your last ship's consignment or "accidentally" allowed impounded goods to be hijacked by smugglers.
Your girlfriend (or boyfriend) is an adventurer too (maybe a fighter or a rogue) and they disappeared a few weeks ago in the vicinity of Saltmarsh. So you quit your comfortable job as a ship’s wizard (but you got two weeks severance pay so you have decent starting money) and went to Saltmarsh looking for her I mean them.
If your character has an athletic build you might wanna take a level or two of Eldritch Knight or even straight fighter to supplement your wizard levels.
What background did you pick? With the DM's permission in case they want you to avoid spoilers as much as possible, check out the GoS book and find the section in Chapter 1 called Saltmarsh Backgrounds that gives your character a tie to the setting depending on what you chose. For example, should you choose the Sailor background and use the Saltmarsh tie in, then you have a god social standing with the local sailors and one of the council members, while if you chose the Sage background you can choose to either be a researcher and recieve aid in translating texts and local histories, or assist a council member in identifying some of the odds and ends his crew brings back.
Every background in the PHB has a way to tie your character to the setting with a much more concrete foundation, so check out the one you chose and maybe some others you would be interested in.
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Hello,
I’m about to start a game as a wizard in the Ghosts of Saltmarsh campaign (starting at level 4). I’m struggling to think of a reason as for why my wizard is in Saltmarsh.
I avoided the stereotypical physically weak wizard trope and opted for a more athletic wizard if that helps?
My best idea so far is that he is a ship’s wizard or something.
thanks!
Although you didn't grow up in Saltmarsh, you were born and raised in another mundane fishing town further down the coast. So this city has a "familiar" feel where you're comfortable. You spent years studying wizardry, and using you skills on various merchant ships, trading vessels, and even a brief stint as portmaster at some hole-in-the-sea docks until you realized it was a suckers' job with little pay (unless you're crooked). Maybe you left these boring/unfulfilling/low-pay jobs to come to Saltmarsh for better opportunities. Maybe you hightailed it out of your last job due to a sudden large gambling debt, or because you goofed up big time mixing wizardry with job duties and blew up your last ship's consignment or "accidentally" allowed impounded goods to be hijacked by smugglers.
Boldly go
How about this?
Your girlfriend (or boyfriend) is an adventurer too (maybe a fighter or a rogue) and they disappeared a few weeks ago in the vicinity of Saltmarsh. So you quit your comfortable job as a ship’s wizard (but you got two weeks severance pay so you have decent starting money) and went to Saltmarsh looking for her I mean them.
If your character has an athletic build you might wanna take a level or two of Eldritch Knight or even straight fighter to supplement your wizard levels.
What background did you pick? With the DM's permission in case they want you to avoid spoilers as much as possible, check out the GoS book and find the section in Chapter 1 called Saltmarsh Backgrounds that gives your character a tie to the setting depending on what you chose. For example, should you choose the Sailor background and use the Saltmarsh tie in, then you have a god social standing with the local sailors and one of the council members, while if you chose the Sage background you can choose to either be a researcher and recieve aid in translating texts and local histories, or assist a council member in identifying some of the odds and ends his crew brings back.
Every background in the PHB has a way to tie your character to the setting with a much more concrete foundation, so check out the one you chose and maybe some others you would be interested in.